Chapter 185
Chapter 185
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: Warmth in the Room Cafe
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It seemed like Ivana and I had been frequenting this room cafe for a while now.
The first time we visited from the academy, it was supposedly under the pretext of club activities, but with Ivana, it was for particularly different reasons.
The reason I started this room cafe business in the first place was for business, after all.
Was it being used as originally intended, in its own way?
"It's not just about showing people what the Northern Region is like. In the process, we sell Northern specialties and clothes to generate additional profits."
"People from the Northern Region and those from the lower regions have different tolerances for cold. How should we handle that?"
"Things worn in winter in the central region... We should prepare the warmest options available among those. It might still be a bit chilly, but people go to the North expecting it to be cold anyway."
"How about hunting foxes or other common animals as a business too...."
"That sounds good. I've already planned several products related to that."
Anyway, we'd each grabbed a drink and come in, continuing our business talk.
Lately, it felt like all our conversations with Ivana were like this, but it was important.
Unlike just vaguely coming of age and vaguely taking over the Leonhardt Family Head position from William when he got fed up.
"Tourism businesses in the Northern Region haven't developed much so far. If we proceed steadily like that, profits will start coming in gradually."
"If Camellia says so, then it must be true."
"I don't know how large a scale you need to become the Nordal Family Head... but making sure lots of people visit the Northern Region is still the best approach."
"You're saying we should start with recognition and build a foundation slowly."
"Oh."
How did she know?
That's exactly what I was about to say.
"You say that every time we talk business."
"Ah."
True enough.
It really was such an early stage that there wasn't much else to say.
We had plenty of money, and the Nordal Family name was famous... but hardly anyone visited the Northern Region, and exchanges were lacking.
Starting that way was naturally the right approach.
"In fact, Ivana has more than enough starting capital... overflowing, even. With Ivana and the Nordal Family's fame, there shouldn't be any issues."
"Hmm...."
"In the end, recognition is key for business. Things people don't know about... don't make as much money."
Of course, that was different for secret businesses.
Like those conducted in the shadows.
Dangerous drugs or magic scrolls... that sort of thing?
Personally, I'd been curious once about how it felt to try one of those drugs... but it seemed risky.
The Leonhardt Family was pretty shady, but we'd never dabbled in that area.
We'd decided not to get involved.
"Anyway, for the roads, the places I recommend are...."
I began explaining the locations and information I'd scouted separately.
A room cafe was definitely good for this.
It was comfortable, and we didn't have to worry about other people.
"Hmm...."
Ivana examined the documents I'd explained once more.
I quietly watched her while sipping my aide.
Even though I was advising her like this, most of it was work she had to execute herself.
I was truly just a supporter.
With plenty of time left, we could proceed slowly and steadily without issue.
The Northern Region would probably become a famous tourist spot alongside the central region and Melnik within a few years.
"Hmm. Hmm.... Hmm...."
"Pfft...."
As usual, Ivana's current expression was impressive.
A blank face paired with a very subtle smile—her signature look.
The expression that showed things were progressing step by step.
"Heh heh...."
Ivana was a woman who spent most of her time with a blank or soulless expression.
Similar to how I smiled or pursed my lips and exhaled when bored, Ivana was mostly blank.
Even in conversations, she often gave off a soulless, dry vibe.
But in situations like this, surprisingly....
"This should work... hmm."
Unlike usual, a pretty smile.
It was nice to see.
Her cold blank face was pretty too, but seeing a woman who'd always shown that face smile happily was bound to feel good.
It even made me want to see her other expressions.
"Ivana?"
"Yes. All the information you provided seems good. It'll definitely help with future development projects."
"Heh heh, glad to hear that."
Not why I'd called her, though.
I naturally assumed what I gave would help, and the reason I'd called Ivana was different.
"What does Ivana like?"
"Like?"
"Yeah, from hobbies to food preferences—anything trivial like that."
"Uh...."
A somewhat sudden question amid business talk.
Months had passed since we started meeting, but we'd never discussed this kind of thing.
Of course, everyone around knew my preferences easily enough.
But I didn't know Ivana's.
"Just curious. Knowing each other as business partners is quite beneficial."
"Is it?"
"Of course? We're not just exchanging info—we'll discuss business worries later too. It's obviously important."
Well, not that I'd share every personal taste.
Ivana just didn't know much beyond what I'd told her about business.
She had a tendency to trust what I said outright, like now.
"True...."
"Heh heh.... right?"
Even now, nodding blankly as if she understood.
"Yeah.... likes."
"Anything's fine. It's just a casual question."
I'd asked without much thought, purely out of curiosity.
Also wanting to see that subtle smile more.
But unlike my casual intent, Ivana started pondering seriously.
Hmm... Ivana did have a pretty serious personality.
As I waited smiling at her, Ivana, who had bowed her head, lifted it again.
"I think I like warm things."
"Warm things?"
"Hot chocolate or warm fur clothes. And hmm...."
"Ah.... like that?"
"Hmm...."
"Then you'd like hot springs too?"
"Ah."
I'd thought someone from the North would be used to cold, but she had a subtly cute side.
She looked like she'd tear into raw meat, yet she liked hot chocolate.
I held back my rising smile.
"And sitting by a campfire warming your hands. Stews, soups... that sort?"
"Yes. Seems like it."
"Heh heh, those are nice."
She really seemed to like warm things.
I could empathize with Ivana's tastes.
I quite liked sleeping hugging Lize at night, enjoying the human body heat.
"Hmm.... so you'd like hugs too?"
"...Pardon?"
Ah, a slightly flustered expression.
Flustered but I continued without showing it.
"Hugs are warm too, right? Human body heat... when it's similar, it just feels warm."
"That's true, but I don't think I like it...."
"Hmm...."
She seemed unsure herself.
Don't hugs usually feel warm?
I didn't think her reaction to my earlier words warranted that much puzzlement.
Skin brushing might not feel that warm, but hugs definitely had their own warmth.
Yet Ivana didn't seem to get it....
"Ivana."
I moved closer to her from my seat.
Ivana looked at me, unaware of my intentions.
I'd grown taller, but she was still bigger—no problem.
I already knew she was more harmless than her cold impression suggested.
"Heh heh...."
"What?"
"Yap."
I pounced on Ivana, who stared at me with innocent eyes.
Well, I just stood and hugged her from above?
Her utterly clueless reaction was too cute.
Different from Lize, who knew everything—pure curiosity drove me to try once.
"How's that? Warm, right?"
I acted clueless too.
Just purely asking if hugs felt warm.
I voiced that innocent question while hugging her.
"Definitely... warm."
"Heh.... really?"
"Yes."
Still her soulless tone.
But between those words, I felt her subtle pleasure, and hugging Ivana felt better than expected?
I spent more time hugging the famously cold and scary Northern Lady.
Seeing Ivana's reactions others never could, doing what others never would.